Cape Coastal Region, South Africa

Fleur du Cap

Sauvignon Blanc

2009

Stellenbosch

The continued success of the Fleur du Cap range of wines is the result of a team approach at The Bergkelder that starts with meticulous vineyard selection and is driven by an overriding passion for winemaking and constant experimentation to create a new generation of superior quality wines. The wines are shaped in perfect harmony with the forces of nature to capture the highly sought-after qualities of varietal character and terroir.

Terroir
Climate, soil, altitude and slope orientation are selected to capture as much varietal character as possible. The climate is mild with south and east facing slopes offering natural protection against late afternoon sun. Cooling breezes from both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean ensure rich, slow growing crops. The soil is predominantly medium textured and well drained with good water-holding capacity.

THE VINEYARDS (Viticulturist Bennie Liebenberg)
The Sauvignon Blanc grapes were sourced from vineyards in the Stellenbosch region. All the vines were grafted onto phylloxera-resitant rootstocks and the 5-wire hedge system was used for trellising while supplementary irrigation was given at the varaison. Pest and disease control was implemented according to South African subjective IPW standards.

Winemaking

THE WINEMAKING
The grapes were handpicked at 22 to 23° Balling during February and March. In the cellar the grapes received no skin contact and were cold fermented between 12º and 14ºC. The wine spent one month on the lees before being blended, fined and filtered for bottling.

WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS (Winemaker Pieter Badenhorst))
The wine is brilliantly clear and lime green in color with golden specs. On the nose it teems with herbaciousness and ample green pepper ending with whiffs of rich melon and pawpaw. This medium bodied wine has a crisp acidity that complements the tropical fruit flavors perfectly on the palate.

Serving

This Sauvignon Blanc is the ideal accompaniment to sushi, fresh green salads and poultry dishes.